Love and loss are eternal partners—if you have one, you will eventually have the other. This summer, the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, has brought more than its usual dose of loss for some of us.

When I called the Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVO, www.dv-opera.org ), the young lady on the phone was perplexed as to the reason for my palpable excitement. I had already explained that I was looking forward to seeing (and hearing) both La Bohème (at the DVO) and Rent at the Forestburgh Playhouse ( www.FBplayouse.com ) on consecutive nights, back to back.